The Atlanta Dream just ripped Game 6 from the Golden State Valkyries, smashing them 80-69, to force a Game 7 in the WNBA Finals. While the Dream are obviously thrilled, and the Valkyries might be a little bummed they did not wrap up their first championship, it’s outgoing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert who is probably breathing the biggest sigh of relief after that Game 6 victory. Trust me, the league just avoided a massive PR headache.
The Game 6 Scheduling Fiasco That Almost Blew Up the Finals
Let’s talk about the drama leading into Game 6. Engelbert’s office and Dream ownership were in a bitter war of words, and it’s easy to see why. The WNBA announced Game 6 would tip off at a super weird time: 12:30 pm ET. Seriously? Fans online roasted that decision hard. You know it’s bad when someone tweets about McDonalds still serving breakfast during a Finals game. The explanation for not just moving Game 6 to an open Friday? It was all about avoiding a conflict on November 3, which would have been Game 7, because Engelbert did not want that final game played on Election Night.
But here’s the real kicker: if the Valkyries had won Game 6, clinching their title, they would have probably celebrated on a practice court. A *practice court*! Why? Because arena staff would have been hustling to get State Farm Arena ready for an Atlanta Hawks home game later that same Thursday. Can you even imagine that? For a league seeing record revenues and broadcast ratings, that would have been an unimaginable step backward. We are talking a season-defining nightmare for the WNBA’s image.
Angel Reese and the Dream Saved the Day (and the League’s Image)
Fortunately for Engelbert and everyone in league PR, the Atlanta Dream showed up in Game 6 and led practically the whole way. They flat out forced a Game 7, and that means higher ratings, more revenue, and a much better look for the league. We are talking about crowning a first-time champion in style, not on a hastily prepped practice court. Angel Reese set a Finals record that night, and Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard absolutely erupted to send the series back to the Bay Area. The Dream did not just win a game, they saved the WNBA from a truly embarrassing moment.
Now, Game 7 is set to go down at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Valkyries get to play for their first championship in front of their home fans, and the Dream are fighting to complete an epic comeback. This is what the Finals should be: a winner-take-all showdown, not a rushed celebration in a half-empty arena. Get ready, because a first-time WNBA champion is about to be crowned, and it’s going to be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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